Most Recent Warnings and Dangers in Haarlem

A rising obstacle

Many of the smaller streets in Haarlem's old city center are pedestrian areas, but are accessible to service traffic. To exclude normal traffic retractable poles are installed at many entrances.Be aware that these poles rise automatic after a car has passed.

Related to:

Cycling

Hiking and Walking

Road Trip

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Do drink enough!!!

For years, we have all been told of the importance of water. The general guideline has been to drink 2 liter of water each day. For a person who is not living an active lifestyle this may be enough, but if you are physically active, you need more water than that. That is especially true if you are hiking in the Alkmaar area due to the fact the average temperature is much higher than other areas and the city lanes with its historical houses and bridges will go up and down.

Water is essential for everyone, especially if you are hiking. Water helps almost every part of the human body function properly. Our bodies are almost two-thirds water, and proper hydration is essential to keep your body functioning properly during the hike. Some of the things water does in the body are:* The brain is 75% water; even moderate dehydration can cause headaches and dizziness;* Water regulates body temperature, which is especially important here in the area where the temperatures can be so brutal; * Water carries nutrients and oxygen to all cells in the body* Blood is 92% water;* Water protects and cushions vital organs;·* Water converts food into energy (which is something you will need on a 3 to 4 hour hike…);* Muscles are 75% water, and you will use many muscles on a trail as you climb above the desert floor.

Reading a map!

Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus, the catchy title of the 1992 bestseller by John Gray, succinctly expresses an ancient dilemma. What--if anything--do men's and women's brains do differently?

The general statement that men and women respond and behave differently under the same circumstances is true; For example, from the crib, male babies tend to be more aggressive and females more passive. As adults, in spatial operations, men have the edge in such skills as negotiating a maze, reading a map, and quickly discriminating between right and left. Men also perform better than women when asked to visualize an object and imagine rotating it. On the other hand, women tend to perform better than men when asked to look at objects of different shapes, sizes, and colors, and then to group them in some order.

This still doesn't explain why Paulien turns the map all around when I'm asking for the road to travel, while I like the map at one point so I can better visualize our position. Help!

Related to:

Road Trip

Motorcycle

Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

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Biking at night in Haarlem

It's not true that biking at night is dangerous!! I constantly go out at night by bike, [so I can drink some extra Jopen biers] and even alone, never had a problem. And that's is coming from a Brazilian woman, really used to more inauspicious places. Most of the people go out by bike on the weekends. Haarlem is pretty safe... that's why I live here.Maybe the danger will be to come across a drunk-biker.More dangeraous is to bike anywhere in Holland without knowing the rules involved. Biking at night without the lights is dangerous and if the police is checking you can get a fine. So check your bike and respect the trafic riles for bikes. Get a good lock for your bike and enjoy.

Related to:

Women's Travel

Romantic Travel and Honeymoons

Singles

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Beware of pickpockets

Always beware of pickpockets. Pickpockets are active at the trainstation, in the shoppingarea (Grote Houtstraat), and at markets.

Of course Haarlem is a very safe place to visit, but like in all places you are an easy target for pickpockets as a tourist. Most of the time tourists carry lots of cash money or creditcards with them.

To prevent pickpockets from stealing all your money and documents, you can do the following:

-rent a safe in your hotel -don't carry to much cash money with you-don't keep your money and other important documents in one place, but spread them

However, if someone may succeed in stealing your belongings, go to the police immediately.

The police will register your story, and give you a document of your declaration wich may be of use for your travel insurance, to cover the damage.

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Feel safe at Haarlem

Because a lot of the central shopping streets are only accessable for pedestrians and cyclers, it is more convenient for the police to use horses to get them every where.So don't be surpised if you suddenly feel the warm breeze of a horse breath in your neck `-)Feel safe, they are looking after your safety and wellbeing.

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It's better not to go cycling...

It's better not to go cycling at night. Also watch out for being angry at drivers. Most of them had a bad temper. Driving a car here isn't easy by the way. Dutch people drive fast and occasionaly make sudden movements. The driver on the picture made a too sudden movement. He wanted to cross the street, but it wasn't his turn. He was being stupid and his punishment came immediately, the front of his new cadillac was totally ruined when it hit the bus.

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Late night munchies can really...

Late night munchies can really pack on the pounds but I still managed to go here after the girls left, even though I had had a great steak dinner much earlier in the night. I only had some change left from out escapades and after ordering a schwarma, I found I was short about a quarter. The owner let me go and I enjoyed the great sandwich which probably saved me a hangover the next day, even if it added to my already burgeoning belly. :S This great place with friendly owner was on Lange Veerstraat, not far from the Grote Markt.

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